Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns Which powder for a 1911 45?

I have two choices with current supplies. I picked up two pounds each of HS-6 and Titegroup a couple days ago.

The bullet will be Berry's 185 gr Hollow base round nose. Primers are CCI 300. Target velocity is 900 fps. Brass is new Hornady.

Hodgdon's data is for a jacketed bullet instead of plated. It shows either powder should work, though Titegroup gives higher pressures at the same velocity.

I use Titegroup and Berrys in my STI, works very well.
Not familar with HS 6.

I use both. TG takes less powder per pop, but HS-6 is more forgiving and also shines with heavier bullets.

Let's see some results. Everybody says, 'Does great.' What is great?

I think I will use HS-6. I can use the forgiving factor.

I am going to try 9.1 gr at 1.231 inches and we'll see how they shoot.

HS6 is clean, and meters great..

I haven't used HS6, but have one 1911 that loves Titegroup with 200 LSWC.

Too lazy at the moment to dig out a target and take a pic (watching a ball game ). Rested at 50', a 7 round magazine will go in a ragged hole if I don't fug it up.

The 45ACP operates at a low pressure bracket, and is more suited to faster burning powders like Bullseye and Titegroup. Your load is also a low pressure one.

TiteGroup is a generally preferred powder for 45ACP by many match shooters because of it's faster burn rate and because it meters well, and other qualities that provide complete combustion even at low pressure.

Titegroup will give more uniform burning and velocity and a slightly milder recoil impulse. It's a top powder choice for the 185 gr bullet.

HS-6 is a slower powder more ideal for rounds that work at higher pressures like 9mm or 40SW or higher pressure 45 loads. It's a good powder for 45 Super, but it may not burn completely or as consistently at low pressure or under a bullet lighter than 230gr...in my opinion at least.

With the load you will be running there is not really any big difference in chamber pressure between the two.

If you are not an experienced reloader, with Titegroup there is more of a chance of a double charge, as that will fit in the case...but it's not a good idea to do that with any powder!

We ran about a dozen and a half of the handloads through the pistol yesterday and about three mags of Federal factory. SIL was keeping every round well inside a four inch bull at ten yds. My groups were slightly larger but still inside four inches.

I could not feel any difference in recoil between the handloads and Federal factory hardball practice loads. The inside of the brass was a bit dirty after firing the handloads.

I am a fairly well experienced handloader of wildcat and factory rifle cartridges, and some revolver rounds. But this was my first try with a taper crimp pistol cartridge.

Now that I am more comfortable with the process, I will switch to Titegroup for the next batch.

Double Charge? HEAVEN FORBID! I charge my cases and set them into fifty round loading blocks, then inspect powder level with a flashlight. I have seen the powder measure bridge, and drop a light load, then a heavy. I do not wish to shoot either.

I appreciate the help and the advice.

HS-6 is my go to powder for 230 gr bullets be they FMJ or HP design. For straight target shooting a good H&G 68 200 gr LSWC with 6 gr of Universal is superb.



231 with the same bullet is just as nice.



BTW-HS-6 ain't a bad target powder with that bullet either.

I use Universal for reduced loads with a 165 gr cast in my 41. I really like it. It shoots well and burns cleanly, but I am a selfish bastard and am not willing to share my last can with the kids.

Perhaps when they get the Clays plant rebuilt and those products become available again?

that 5.4 grains of 231 with the 200grain H&G68 is a pretty traditional load. I have seen it used for years at around 5.3 to i think 5.5 grains. I have loaded thousands of them that way.
Speaking trash, i have also seen comments that that particular bullet is more effective that some other bullets for other purposes than just target shooting.

I use 6.0 grains Unique under a 200 grain LRNFP for about 900 FPS, still easy on the hand and very accurate for me.

I use what ever powder I can find, but right now I'm using Winchester WST. 4.8gn behind a 230gn FMJ is chronoing at about 840fps out of my RIA 5"1911 GI. I cant shoot as well as these other guys but it shoots good enough for me and it meters well in the hand charging powder dispensers.

I use universal in my .45 loads also, with good results. I have a lot it, as I use it in my 20 gauge, also.